Best office chair: 9 desk chairs to create an instant home office

So you have found yourself here, searching for the best office chair. It's finally time to accept you can't work from your soft office (your sofa or bed) and time to in best in an actual chair for your home office.

You would think it a simple task, but as you have probably already experienced type in 'best office chair' to Google you will realise how much choice there is. From ergonomic desk chairs for back pain to super stylish designs that would work in a living room set up. Let's just say the choice can be a little overwhelming. But fear not because we have covered all those options in our pick of the best UK office chairs below. 

If you are after the best desks to go with your lovely new office chair, make sure you check out our buying guide. Oh and don't miss our home office ideas gallery too. 

The best desk chairs 

If you want the best office chair for support and pricing, and don't have loads of room for a really bulky model, this Argos Brixham desk chair could be the answer...

Budget-friendly 
We can't not talk about the amazing price. This Argos desk chair is just £50, making it the best budget office chair out there. Not only do we think it looks like it costs more than that – the design is sleek and simple and the faux leather doesn't look cheap and shiny at all – but it's really supportive and provides a comfortable perch for hours, too.

Compact design 
If you have a small home office but are after a desk chair that provides plenty of support, finding one that doesn't take up loads of room with bulky arms and a huge backrest can be tricky. With this model you get both: it's small and supportive. 

Adjustable and comfortable
The seat height is easy to change, swivels like a dream, but something you don't often get with cheaper desk chairs is an adjustable backrest. The backrest on the Brixham can either be set to tilt with you as you move throughout the day, or you can lock into a place that suits your seating position best. We approve.

• Shop the Argos Home Brixham Faux Leather Office Chair here

Looking for a really affordable office chair? This Habitat Ginnie desk chair would be perfect...

Good quality, great price
In case you haven't figured it out by now, desk chairs can get really expensive. A big plus of this Habitat desk chair is that it is only £75 (in fact it's only £60 right now in the sale). Still great quality just way more budget-friendly.

Stylish shape
The best desk chairs can be a little... cumbersome and aren't the easiest on the eyes, but this one is a great combination of style and practicality. The seat reminds us of a classic Eiffel chair, but then the base has everything you would want from a modern desk chair. 

Comfortable seat  
Reviewers of this chair over on the Argos website all mention how surprisingly comfortable this chair is, even over long periods of time. The padded seat massively adds to this but the moulded back also provides a fair bit of support. 

Compact size
If you have got a small home office, or have a work station set up in one of your rooms, this desk chair is definitely on the smaller size.  

• Shop the Habitat Ginnie desk chair here

If you are after an affordable leather-look office chair Habitat's Etta is a fab option. Here's why we love it:

Stylish shape
It was the look of this office chair that drew us in. Let's be honest if you work from home for just a couple of days a week and don't spend long at your desk, you are always going to prioritise look above anything else. With its curved design and retro feel the Etta definitely doesn't disappoint in the style department.

Comfy seat
It might not be the most supportive of our picks, but this office chair is still designed with comfort in mind. The slightly scooped seat and curved back will provide enough support and comfort for a few hours work. 

Easy to use gas-lift mechanism
It's usually the base of office chair we have a problem with. Firstly, they can look ugly and secondly they have a tendency to catapult you out of your chair when you try and adjust the height. Neither are true here however, the base it really simple and looks great, plus the gas-lift mechanism is really easy to use. 

• Shop the Etta Chair Grey velvet upholstered chair here

If you don't work from home regularly and are after something that looks fab and will be comfortable for an afternoon of emails, the Argos Home Princess Velvet Handleback Office Chair would be perfect...

Stylish design
We can't deny that the look of this office chair is what draws you in. Velvet? Grey? Slightly Mid-century vibe? Who can resist, really? But the design actually results in a comfy sit too: the scoop back supports the lower back and the upholstery is well padded. 

Adjustable height
As with most desk chairs that go for style over being super supportive, this model doesn't have all the bells and whistles of some of our other picks. However, it's super simple to adjust the height and it's a gas-lift mechanism, so expect none of that jerky, feeling like you are going to be catapulted out of your chair, movement. 

• Shop the Argos Home Princess Velvet Handleback Office Chair here

If you’ve already blown most of your home office decorating budget on the best office desk, don’t let the price of our first few picks put you off because there is some wallet-friendly ergonomic action on offer at IKEA in the form of the Markus Swivel Chair...

Bargain price
This is by far the cheapest option in our round-up, but it's still a really high-quality office chair that comes with a superb 10-year guarantee too. All the reviewers on the Ikea website are happy, lumbar supported, bunnies.

Adjustable height and tilt
As you'd expect it's not quite as advanced as the more expensive, high-tech models, you will have to use a lever to adjust this Ikea desk chair. That being said, you are still fully in control of the tilt so you can find the perfect position for you.  

Breathable design 
The completely mesh back is ideal for allowing air to flow through the chair, keep your temperature regular and to stop things getting too sweaty (yum). 

Lumbar support
You have some added lower back support in the form of the built-in cushion, it's not adjustable but owners say it a big plus point in the design. 

• Shop Made.com Higgs office chair here

If you maybe don't spend all day, every day at your home office desk and are after an office chair that's a bit more aesthetically pleasing, the Higgs office chair from Made.com is beautiful.

On-trend design 
Just look at it. It really is a great looking chair. The classic shape, with those statement arms and deep blue velvet finish will give any home office a serious upgrade. 

Adjustable height 
In terms of adjusting this chair, the height is your lot. It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of our previous picks but that's obviously reflected in the cheaper price.

Affordable 
Obviously, it's a lot more simplistic than our previous picks but for such a lovely, stylish piece we think this is really reasonable. 

• Shop Made.com Higgs office chair here

The Freedom Chair from Humanscale is the best office chair if neck pain is a problem for you while working from home...

Adapts with your position
The Freedom chair automatically adapts to the shape of your spine as you move, ensuring that you always have the best support. This means there are no cumbersome levers that shoot you up and down at the lightest touch (or take your whole team to yank into place), is just perfectly adjusts to how you move in your chair.

Outstanding comfort 
It goes without saying that a desk chair should be comfortable, but this model renowned for its comfort. The cushioned seats have been designed to mimic the body's contours and decrease pressure points, plus the headrest just adds that extra level of comfort and support. 

Stylish design 
Not something you often associate with ergonomic desk chairs, but as far as they go, this one is actually pretty easy on the eyes. The simple shape and lack of a million levers means it wouldn't be the focal point of your office, plus it comes in a choice of stylish black or brown leather. 

• Shop the Freedom Chair from Humanscale here

Money no object? With adjustable arm height, seat height, recline, and seat tilt, there are more than 20 years of sitting science behind the Herman Miller New Aeron Office Chair, so it's hardly surprising it is our pick of the best ergonomic office chair. 

Breathable material 
As we previously mentioned, this is important. The New Aeron is made from 8Z Pellicle suspension material which allows air and body heat to pass through the chair, regulating the temperature, keeping you more comfortable throughout the day. 

Lumbar support 
Across the seat and back of the New Aeron, there are eight different 'zones' all varying in tension – tightest at the edges and less so where the body makes contact – to deliver the best lumbar and ergonomic support. The innovative PostureFit SL design also encourages the user to sit in the best way, chest open and pelvis tilted slightly forward, to prevent any injuries. 

Moves with you 
The Aeron chair’s tilt allows it to move with the user in a really natural way, shifting from forward to reclining seamlessly and comfortably. It's designed to keep you in contact with the back on the chair at all times whilst providing support for numerous positions. 

Three different sizes
As well as it being really customisable to how you sit, the desk chair itself comes in three different sizes too so provide even more of a perfect sit. There are three colour options too, a choice you don't often get with the more serious of desk chairs. 

• Shop the Herman Miller New Aeron Office Chair here

John Lewis stock loads of great quality office chair, this is their cheapest offering but that doesn't mean it's not a practical, long-lasting choice...

Budget-friendly
Fifty quid for a really good office chair is amazing. Plus with John Lewis, you know you are going to be getting something quality despite the low price. 

Two year guarantee
Good to know that if anything goes wrong with your office chair in the next two years you can get a replacement.  Something you don't often see with a chair this cheap so definitely a big plus. 

Really supportive design
Despite being quite simple in design, this John Lewis office chair is really supportive. It's designed with a subtle curve in the back rest for ultimate comfort while you work. Upholstered in a soft breatable fabric, its frame is adjustable and a gas-lift mechanism allows you to adjust the height, while the fixed armrests encourage you to maintain a good posture.

• Shop the John Lewis & Partners Gerard Office Chair here

How to buy the best office chair

Choosing the right desk chair for you probably depends mostly on how much time you actually spend sitting in it. If you spend the majority of your working day sat in a chair, getting one that is super supportive is definitely advised as frequently using a badly designed chair can cause bad posture and result in long term back problems. Not fun, work is painful enough already. 

Support?

When looking at different designs focus on back support first, as that is pretty crucial. Pick a chair that has lumbar support, this will take the stress off your lower back and encourage good posture too. Think about whether you want a desk chair with arms as well, these are better for your back and shoulders and again will prevent you from slouching. 

Adjustable?

If you are after maximum comfort,  have a look whether your future desk chair is adjustable and how adjustable it is. The majority of office chairs will have adjustable seats to you can tilt and set a different heights. Some will allow you to alter the arms and tension too. 

Fabric?

If you do plan on choosing a fabric desk chair, pick one that's got a breathable fabric, something that won't get too hot or uncomfortable if you are sat on it all day. 

Budget?

So, finally, budget. Well, it should come as no shock that well designed, ergonomic desk chairs can get expensive and we will say we think the best models are worth the money. Just think, you literally spend all day sitting in this chair, you want it to be the best of the best. However, we have included a variety of price points in our guide. 

Read more:

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• The best noticeboards for your home office
• The best home office gadgets